Dukes capitalize on Seahawks' weaknesses

Wednesday

Jan 18, 2012 at 10:56 PM

UNCW loses to James Madison in CAA action.

By Brian MullBrian.Mull@StarNewsOnline.com

James Madison stretched the defense early with hot 3-point shooting, pulverized UNCW in the paint late and walked out of Trask Coliseum with a surprising 69-61 victory Wednesday night.The Seahawks played their role as the worst defensive team in the CAA, and spiraled to their third consecutive defeat. The Dukes answered a UNCW rally in the final five minutes and snapped a five-game conference losing streak.Containing dribble penetration has been a problem for UNCW (7-10, 3-4) this season. The Dukes attacked that weakness. They scored all 13 second-half field goals in the paint, including 22 points on layups or dunks."As a man it makes you want to check yourself," UNCW senior Trevor Deloach said. "We're Division I basketball players and we can't stop the man in front of us. We've just got to look inside, be a man, and want to stop the man in front of you."UNCW squandered an excellent opportunity to climb back over .500 in conference play and gain momentum entering a two-game road trip. Associate head coach Jamie Kachmarik filled in for his suspended boss Buzz Peterson, and inherited his problems."The big thing was in every huddle I had to challenge our guys: ‘When are you going to step up and guard the basketball?'" Kachmarik said. "Because that's been our big issue."Forwards Keith Rendleman and Cedrick Williams covered some of those mistakes, with six blocked shots. But each time they rotated over, another hole opened in the Seahawks' defense."It's a thing in your own heart in wanting to stop your own man," Kachmarik said. "It's frustrating. I know it's getting frustrating for the post guys." JMU (9-9, 2-5) entered the game struggling on offense, last in 3-point shooting in conference games (22.5 percent). They ran like an efficient machine against the Seahawks, as Humpty Hitchens scored inside-out for a career-high 27 points and forward Enoch Hood took feeds from driving guards to score a career-high 14.JMU hit 6 of 9 3-pointers in the first half, but only attempted four after halftime."That was something we've talked about for 10 or 12 days now," JMU coach Matt Brady said. "… driving and trying to put our feet in the lane and seeing what the defense gives us.""It's a big deal for us to be able to drive the ball."After falling behind 49-38 on an Alioune Diouf layup with 11:04 remaining, the Seahawks ripped off 11 points in a row, took a 53-52 lead on a Deloach free throw at the 5:15 mark.JMU answered with nine consecutive points – four strong drives and a free throw "They were getting to every spot on the floor that they wanted to get to," said UNCW forward Donte Morales, who returned from a knee injury to score a team-high 14 points, and slow down Hitchens in the second half. "A lot of guys took the game for granted, and didn't give it their all, like it was their last game," he added. "And it showed out there, especially in the first half."JMU also smothered Rendleman with double teams, holding him to a CAA low 12 points. The Seahawks' leading scorer attempted one field goal in the final 10 minutes, scoring one point in that span. He grabbed 17 rebounds, however, for his ninth double-double. The Seahawks, who were 11 of 23 on free throws, travel to play at William & Mary at 2 p.m. Saturday, followed by conference leader George Mason at 9 p.m. Monday.

Brian Mull: 343-2034On Twitter: @BGMull

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